Hertfordshire’s care sector needs to recruit 2,000 paid workers every year if it is to keep pace with demand, say council bosses.

The number of elderly people in the county is increasing each year and county chiefs warn failure to recruit sufficient care workers will have significant knock-on effects, such as costly delayed discharges from hospitals and care homes.

In a bid to attract more applicants to the field, the Hertfordshire Care Providers’ Association (HCPA) is offering a free six-day training course allowing people to attain a Care Certificate.

Free training sessions are running every month until April 2016 – visit www.hertsgoodcare.com for more.

County chiefs will also shine a light on the exceptional care work happening across the county with Good Care Day on Monday (December 7).

The day aims to change perceptions of care work and attract more people to a rewarding career in the sector.

As part of the event, which is organised in partnership with HCPA, care homes across the county will be visited by some of the council’s senior managers.

They will experience first-hand the high quality of care people are receiving and they will also talk to care workers and residents about why good care matters.

“Good Care Day presents a unique opportunity to find out what’s involved in working in care,” said Colette Wyatt-Lowe, cabinet member for adult care and health at Herts County Council.

She added: “I’m really looking forward to speaking with our dedicated care workers about their experiences.

“Keeping our residents healthy and safe is a priority for us and providing good care for the people of Hertfordshire is one of the most important ways we do this.”